Clay Boland was an American composer and dentist, born on October 25, 1903, in Olyphant, Pennsylvania. He pursued dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, where he won a university competition in 1924 with his composition "Dreary Weather." Boland was actively involved with the university's Mask and Wig Club, collaborating with lyricist Moe Jaffe to create music for many of their shows. He was also a skilled pianist and arranger, performing with prominent big bands of the era.

Despite practicing dentistry in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Boland maintained his passion for music, engaging in the music publishing business. His most notable song, "The Gypsy in My Soul," co-written with Moe Jaffe, gained popularity with recordings by artists like Mildred Bailey and Eydie Gorme. Other successful compositions include "Stop Beatin’ Around the Mulberry Bush," "Tell Me At Midnight," and "When I Go A-Dreamin’."

During World War II, Boland served as a lieutenant commander in the US Navy's Dental Corps and was recalled for duty during the Korean War. Later in life, he resided in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Clay Boland passed away on July 23, 1963, in the Naval Hospital of St. Albans, Queens, at the age of 59. His contributions to music, particularly through his work with the Mask and Wig Club, remain a testament to his dual career as a dentist and composer.